Arch support for shoes



Nov. 23 1926. 1,608,125

J. JONES ARCH SUPPORT- FOR SHOES Filed Jan. 6, 1926 Patented Nov. 23,

arent 1,608,125 rein.

JOHN JONES, OF "WTLKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ARCH STJPIGRT FOR SEIGES.

Application filed January 6, 1925. Serial No. 59,814.

This invention relates to foot wear provided with means for supporting the arch of the foot; and it consists of an arch support constructed as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the lower part of a shoe partially in longitudinal section, and provided with an arch support according tothis invention. Fig. 2 is a plan View, from above, of the insole and arch support removed from the shoe. Fig. 3 is a plan view, from below, of the insole and arch support. Figs. & and 5 are cross-sections taken on the lines t4 and 55 respectively in Fig. 2.

The outsole or main sole 7, the heel 8, and the upper 9 of the shoe are of any approved form and construction. In order to support the arch of the foot a shank 10 of spring metal or material is arranged longitudinally under the insole 12, and between it and the main sole 7. The rear and middle portions of the shank have parallel side edges, and a lateral projection let is formed at the front end portion of its inner edge in line with the big toe of the foot. The front end 15 of the shank is convex and extends diagonally of the main portion of the shank and its side edges.

The insole 12 is formed of leather or other similar material, and it is provided with a concavo-convex projection 16, preferably circular, and arranged with its center over the middle part of the front edge 15 of the shank, so that it partially overlaps the front end portion of the shank. The projection 16 projects upwardly, and is positioned so that it comes under the middle part of the transverse arch of the foot in the metatarsal area.

A packing piece 18 of leather or other suitable packing material is arranged under the inside side portion of the'insole 12, and extends from its heel portion longitudinally under the inner side portion of the shank 10 to any desired distance in front of it. The front end portion of the packing piece has a lateral projection 19, and the inner edge of the packing piece and its projection is shaped to conform to the shape of the inner edge. of the insole, and is arranged to project laterally a little beyond the said inner edge. The packing piece is arranged so that its front end or edge extends across the concavo-convex projection 16 at about its center. The packing piece 18 is wedge shaped in cross-section, and its thick part is at itsinner edge, which projects laterally be yond the edge of the insole. The taper of the packing piece may be va ied to suit different feet, and the different makes of shoes, and may be different at different parts of its length. The thin edge of the packing piece 18 is arranged under the middle part of the width of the spring shank, leaving its outer side portion exposed.

The insole, shank and packing piece are all rigidly secured together by two rivets 25, or any other approved fastening devices. The insole, shank and packing piece are curved longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 1, to any desired extent, and are preferably built into the shoe. They form a very efficient arch support for the foot, and are inexpensive to manufacture. The projection 19 on the packing piece is sewn between the welt and the outsole of the shoe. The welt is sewn to the upper in the regular wa and then the part 19 is applied and riveted to the shank. The part 19 extends to the outer edge of the welt, lying on the welt. The outsole is then applied in the regular manner. The art 19 is omitted when the arch support is not built intothe shoe. When the packing piece 18 is provided with the pr jection 19, the said projection 19 is placed underneath the welt, and is secured to it by adhesive material. The lower side of the projection 19 then has its thick ed e beveled off and shaved down until its outer edge is very thin. The outsole is then applied so that the outseam stitches unite the outsole, projection 19 and the welt. The thin edge of the projection 19 does not show in the completed shoe.

What I claim is I 1. In a shoe, an outsole, an insole provided with a concavo-convex projection at its metatarsal portion, a spring shank arranged longitudinally under the insole to the rear of the said projection, and a packing piece wedge-shaped in cross-section and arranged under the inner side portions of the insole and shank between said portions and the outsole and secured to the outsole.

2. A shoe provided with an arch support as set forth in claim 1, and having the concavo-convex projection arranged to partiallv overlap the front end of the said shank.

3. A shoe provided with an arch support as set forth in claim 1, and having the thick edge of the packing piece projecting laterat 1y of the insole and secured between the outsole and the Welt,

4. An arch support, comprising an insole provided With an upwardly projecting concave-convex projection at its metatarsal portion, a spring shank secured longitudinally under the middle part of the Width of the insole, and a packing piece Wedge-shaped in cross-section and secured under the inner side portions of the said shank and insole leaving their outer side portions uncovered.

5. An arch support as set forth in claim 4, and having the said concavo-convez; pro

jection arranged to partially overlap the front edge of the shank.

6. An arch support as set forth in claim 4, the said shank having a lateral projection its front end which projects toward the inner side edge of the insole.

7. An arch support as set forth in claim 4, the said shank having its front edge arranged diagonally of its main portion and extending across the middle part of the said concavo-convex projection.

8. An arch support as set forth in claim t, the said shank and packing piece having lateral projections at their front ends arranged with their front edges extendingacross the middle part of the said concaveconvex projection and with the projection on the packing piece extending forwardly beyond theprojection on the shank.

In testimony whereof I have itilhlQCl my signature.

JOHN JONES. 

